Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-03-12

The story Of wonderful volcanic out
break on the little island Of Ninatu. sifu-
ated in Close proximity to the Friendlv
group IN the south Pacifs ocean. Wa
yesterday narrated by q sailor TO :
ChroNicls reporter.
The man had been serving on the
colonial steamer Suva which PLAYS srom
LeonkA Ftp, around the South See
ialands. and was on the steamer when che
visited the scene OF the disaster. The
main incidents were told to him bv :
trader who was on the island.
The island OF Ninatu Is small and AZ a
round shape. In its center there used
to be large, clear lake, studded with
islets, and II looked as II the lake eccu-
pied the crater Of some extinct volcano.
A very lovely spot was this island before
the eruption, covered - II was with
vegetation, cocoanut trees, bananas,
breadffuits, and gardens where the ma
tivee cultivated patches of yams, taro,
and sweet potatoes. But now Il looks
Ike q great gray mas of volcanic rock,
covered with ashes and lava
On the night Of August 2s, 1886, the
natives were startled by earthquake
shocks, heavy lightning and thunder, and
RAIN. They were 50 scared that the six
villages on the east side Of the island
were abandoned. and in company With
three white traders the natives went to
the lee or west shore. The quake and
storm continued for three days, and on
the 31st Of August huge pillar Of flame
shot up from the center of the lake, &C
companied by columns Of boiling water
and showers Of stones and pumice. The
waters OF the lake boiled and seethed,
and .hen from its bosom cone OF land
started up. Four craters upon this new
upheaval began to vomit fire, stones,
ashes, and scoria, covering the island and
burning up every particle of vegetation.
This war Of the elements continued for
ten days, and everything was covered
with volcanic dust to a depth of many
feet. A canoe in which the natives used
to go across to another island for shelter
was buried thirty feet under ashes and
lava, and they had just succeeded in dig
ging it out when the steamer Suva hove
in sight. Itwss found that the natives
had but five days provisions, and that
although the volcanic commissions had
ceased, they were very much frightened.
As the Suva could not carry many pas
sengers, she went over to Tonga, and
two schooners were dispatched to the
relief of the sufferers. A plentiful sup
ply OF bresdfruits, bananas, taro, and
yams were taken, and the natives will be
transported to other islands, as the en-
tire crop of their lands. on Ninatu has
been destroyed.
The captain of the Suva sounded ali
round the island. and ascertained that
the water In the harbor had increased in
depth. Land and sea birds that were
numerous before the eruption had en-
entirely deserted the island, and where
was smiling landscape is now q desc
late lava and pumice covered scene. Vol
umes Of steam were ascending from the
lake when the Suva left on her return
rip to Fiji
A strict examination OF the lad was
then made by the police magistrate; toe
name and address of the broker were Ia
ken; an officer was sent to make in
quiries of him concerning the gsmin's
narrative; the particulars
were found to be all substantiated, and
the young vagrant was set at liberty,
with him gold, still in his
rockokI